5th Floor Admin Offices

The Plaza Building, an iconic example of Flemish Gothic architecture in Albany, New York, was originally erected in 1918 to accommodate the Delaware & Hudson Railroad and the Albany Evening Journal. In 1977, the State University of New York (SUNY) system, along with its associated Construction Fund (SUCF), established the Plaza Building as its headquarters.

This project entails a comprehensive renovation of the 5th floor’s southern end, focusing on reconfiguring spaces around existing plumbing and electrical distribution. Situated at the pinnacle of the building within its roofline, the project capitalizes on generous ceiling heights despite the narrow floor plate.

The redesigned space aims to house three specific departments while maintaining flexibility to accommodate future departmental expansions, contractions, or replacements with minimal modifications. A primary objective of the project was to maximize natural light penetration into what was previously a dimly lit area. This was achieved by elevating the ceiling to expose the full height of the glazing in the existing dormers.

The layout follows a “railroad style” design, facilitating seamless movement through each department, with open offices positioned near the core and private offices strategically interspersed along exterior walls with existing glazing. Additionally, the three distinct departments share communal facilities including a kitchen, conference rooms, and bathrooms.